10 signs you're an Amarillo weather pro

Can we please talk about the weather for a minute? Although it may seem like trivial conversation to some, I am completely mind blown by Amarillo. Not only did my lovely car get pummeled to (almost) death in the hail storm of last year, but it continues to be as crazy as ever. I keep waiting for things to "mellow out," and it seems that wait has no end. It's like the cousin that asks for money. You keep trying to dodge them, but they find you! They ALWAYS find you!

In Chicago weather is such a sensitive subject. For Example:

Me to Store Lady: “Hey, heard it's supposed to sn---”

Lady: “You think I don't know it's supposed to snow every *%$# day of the week? I know already. It's cold one day, freezing the next, can't get a parking spot, fingers losing circulation.....”

So as you see, I'm very used to NOT discussing the weather. It is a bit refreshing to have a consistent mystery around the corner. I've only lived in places with fairly predictable climates.

In Chicago it's either really hot or really cold. In Austin it's pleasant year round with rare storm outbursts. In Mexico it's hot then rainy season. In Wichita Falls it's hot, then hotter, then maybe some snow for a day.

Amarillo is hot, freezing, hail, dust storm, tornado warning, back to hot, back to wind warning, back to thunderstorm, then a flood warning. THIS IS CRAY.

I realize that all of you beautiful people sacrifice a certain amount of sanity and watch your weather channel religiously, and for that I applaud your loyalty. Admittedly, this city is worth every unpredictable day. I've been told more than once by my son's daycare that he doesn't need a jacket, or asked why he is in long sleeves. It's hard to stay calm when I respond with, “It was 40 degrees this morning. How was I supposed to know it would be 90 by 2 p.m.?”

I don't know how you guys do it year after year, but SIGN ME UP. I am officially part of the crazy club. I indeed downloaded a different weather app than my iphone provides me with, and I still don't know how it works! So, I am a complete ROOKIE. You guys are pros. Here is a fun little list I've accumulated as I've lived here. It's been two years and these are all things I had no clue about until I moved here.

10 Signs You're An Amarillo Weather Pro (Or as close as anyone can get!)

1. You have at least four weather apps on your phone

2. You know how to read the Doppler radar accurately and are used to the block of red moving into Amarillo

3. If you don't have a garage, you know the location of the closest underpass and know the others that park there by name

4. Your insurance agent is on speed dial

5. You take pride in knowing the weather before anyone else and can accurately warn others about the storms ahead

6. You have an emergency 'storm kit' on hand in the closet (weather radio, batteries, flashlights or lanterns, water jugs and granola bars, etc...)

7. You're skeptical of anyone else telling you what “might” happen until you look for yourself

8. If you don't have a storm shelter or basement, you know what neighbors do

9. You know the wind speeds of every level of the tornado F-scale

10. You keep an extra jacket and an umbrella in the car or at work at all times

If you see a random blonde walking in the rain with no jacket, it's probably this yankee rookie. I'm still learning.